The Shadow of Shazam # 3

A few nights before…

“Aa-eee! Help, someone please help!” a woman’s voice screams in the night.

“Which way, Ma’am?” a deep voice seems to drift down to her from above. She tries to clear her head…rotten purse snatcher! He has her all confused…she looks to her left and then to her right but there is nothing. She turns around to see there is no one behind her either.

“Up here Miss…” the voice chuckles. It gets them every time, the hovering; it’s always good for a laugh.

“Oh, oh my, yes…yes, of course…Captain Marvel” she stumbles her way through an explanation…she was just on her way home… she wasn’t looking for trouble…blah, blah, blah…He really had no time for this.

“Which way!” he interrupts with authority in his voice. The effect is immediate as the woman points to the alley. Without another word Marvel flies off in pursuit.

“Well!” The woman exclaims, “He didn’t have to be so rude!”

Above the alley, Marvel flies, his eyes sweeping the corners and doorways. He searches fast. It would not be impossible, nor the first time, some low-life evaded him…he isn’t some CSI investigator after all…they always catch the bad guys…but that was fiction and while he may not have all that fantastic training and gadgets (most of which, he has heard are entirely fictional, real cops have to struggle to solve cases) he does have something over all of them , an almost limitless amount of god-like power…throw in a cape and tights and ladies and gentlemen…you’ve got yourselves a gen-you-ine hero!

So what if his peers did not all agree. Bah, other than the alien, who among them truly counted as peers?

It didn’t matter. Footfalls could be heard around a corner. Bruce flies with the Speed of Mercury; arriving in time to see the thug climbing a fire escape.

“This should be good,” Bruce mutters to himself.

A deserted warehouse, on outskirts of Gotham

“Master,” the acolyte in the hooded robe addresses him. “Your daughter is here.”

Ra’s al Ghul is deep in meditation. He sits, lotus-like, seeking the focus that exists at the centre of his being. The Demon’s Head, as he is known, finds respite from the sometimes chaotic demands of ruling the League of Assassins in his daily meditations; it is decidedly un-wise to disturb them. The acolyte trembles before him and Ra’s inclines his head…

“She may enter.”

The servant hurries from al Ghul’s chamber, thankful to be spared the Master’s wrath.

As he exits the room, Talia enters. She does not spare the servant a glance as she passes him… he is not worth her time. Her father, on the other hand…

She drops to one knee before the dais “I have come…to report what I have discovered!” She says with eyes lowered to the ground. Then, with an act of will that would be deemed fatally insubordinate in any of his acolytes, she raises her head and looks her father in the eyes. “This Wayne may have access to power… but he is a vain and reckless fool. We have nothing to fear from him.”

“I was not aware that we feared him in the first place.” Ra’s replies with one eye arched.

His daughter chafes when made to follow orders…but she will follow them, it is not her time yet, to lead and it may never be. Ra’s considers his possession of the Lazarus’ Pits and their secrets and grins with satisfaction.

“Then,” she begins…cautiously, “I await your next task.”

“You have your task,” Ra’s allows for no equivocation “return to it, until you are summoned.”

“I see nothing else that I can learn from this – this cretin!” she is getting frustrated, forgetting herself “I can be of much greater use to you…”

“You will be of use to me, exactly where and how I command you to be!” al Ghul interrupts. She must not be allowed to imagine that she may resist him in any fashion. “For now, it is back with Mr. Wayne; it is your voice in his ear influencing him during his days; your body lying next to him, distracting him, at night!”

“I am not your whore!!!” she snaps.

It happens in one whiplash second. SMASH!!

Ra’s al Ghul rose up from his dais with a blinding fast strike from the back of his hand, sending his daughter sprawling to the floor. He stands over her, looming, larger than life. Talia understood instantly that this was not her father. This was the Demon’s Head, the most dangerous assassin, leader of assassins, in the world. This was, in point of fact, her… Master!

“I humbly offer apology,” she answers, hurried “I spoke to you with disrespect father. I am sorry, it will not happen again! I will return to my assignment.” She lifts herself up off the floor and walks out of Ra’s chamber, conscious of the fact that her father could strike her exposed back at any moment. She begins to breathe once she has rounded the corner, outside of the building.

Ra’s admires her bravery in recovering so quickly. Exposing her back! Hah! She most definitely is a child of his blood. Most of his sycophants would weep or beg in such a situation…they certainly would urinate over themselves before offering their backs to the Master Assassin. His pleasure is short lived however. Ra’s can sense motion in the room. Something is moving and breathing. He smiles.

“Per Degaton,” he declares with casual ease “if you have something to say to me…kindly do so.” Ra’s walks back to his dais, and sits himself down–this time–reclining on the cushions.

“You know, we are in America now,” Per responds, appearing in the middle of the room, “perhaps the two of you could go on Dr. Phil and sort out your father-daughter relationship. Ha hah ha…”

“If there is anything important, I should have said.” Ra’s suffers this buffoon patiently…how the fates could allow this worm such power, he cannot fathom.

“Yes, yes...” Per replied, raising his hand, stifling of his mirth. “To business, then, we shall attend. I am here to inform you…it is time!”

“Time?” al Ghul asks…a dubious tone in his voice.

“Yes! Damn you… no more planning. No more intrigue! The time to strike is now!” Per is pacing back and forth, his emotions as far from centred as could be.

“Everything is in order…we have the erstwhile Captain…occupied. Therefore, I agree”

“Ya, well I don’t care what you say the…” Per begins to argue, “wait...you agree?”

“Yes, and close your mouth before a bug lands in it.” Ra’s enjoys seeing the confusion in Degaton’s face. “The time to strike IS now. My assassins will help you, so long as you procure the ‘special’ weapons.”

“Great! I have already paid a visit to a Legion armoury several centuries hence. Our troops will be unstoppable!” Per is filled with braggadocio at the prospect of victory.

“Then I suggest, returning to equip my acolytes as quickly as possible.” Ra’s crosses his legs and closes his eyes. The meditation will help him find the flaws, if there are any, in the plan.

There are many things that Per Degaton would enjoy saying to this arrogant man. He would enjoy telling him what he thinks of his attitude; his prostitute of a daughter; his complete lack of gratitude for everything that Per has done…There are so many quips, gibes and comebacks he would like to throw at Ra’s al Ghul…he just can’t think of any at the moment. Seething with frustration, Per Degaton vanishes.

The Gulf of Tonka

“Eek click eek eek” Sunnee replied to Arthur, while thinking “There are sailors in the water, but they are surrounded and covered by the black poison oh-yul!!”

“That’s oil…and Sunnee I’ve told you before, you don’t need to verbalize, I understand your thoughts!” Arthur playfully chides his dolphin companion. “We need to save them though, despite the danger…spread the word to your fellows while I see what can be done to stop the ship’s leak.”

The King of the Seven Seas, the Ruler of Atlantis, Aquaman–the Justice League’s fish guy…Arthur had to stifle a laugh. He really didn’t know what he was doing being on that team. His responsibilities kept him from his wife Mera and Arthur Jr. enough as it was. What business would he have presuming to lend the surface dwellers a hand–their world was an alien environment to him…and a harsh one at that. Still, their world had a way of having a tremendous impact on his…and if this League membership was to serve a purpose at all Arthur would find a way for it to help his people.

Take these polluting disasters for example. With the powers at the disposal of his new teammates clean up could be done a lot sooner and with far less damage to the habitat of the nearby coral reef–than if he was to tackle the problem alone. “Well,” thinks Arthur “best to investigate the ship and decide if this is job for–the JLA.”

Arthur swims towards the damaged vessel using powerful strokes. Muscles that can propel him through typhoon currents slice through the relatively calm waters of the Gulf with ease. Such ease does not extend to his worried mind however. The side of the tanker, right at the waterline, was indeed ruptured. The damaged hull, thought to be from an engine explosion, was buckled–inward!!

“Damn it,” Arthur snarls. “Something, or rather, someone must have attacked the ship.”

“Yes, indeed” a voice gloats from behind him “what do you think?”

Arthur turns to see Per Degaton, the old Justice Society villain, hovering before him several feet above the water. Another mad man… another psychotic surface dweller bent on world domination…

What is it, Arthur wonders, something they eat? Like mad cow, perhaps? It seems they breed mad men up there.

“What do you hope to gain, Degaton, by polluting these waters? Other than my wrath!!” Arthur seethes with indignation.

“Well, now that you mention it,” the fiend grins “that is precisely what I was hoping for; here…catch!!” Per Degaton tosses a small metallic sphere at Aquaman.

Thinking it to be a weapon, perhaps a grenade, Arthur attempts to dive below the surface of the water…when the shockwave hits him. He braces for pain, injury and hopes his JLA communicator is working. Perhaps this is an occasion when backup would be welcome. The odd thing is that no pain comes…instead Arthur seems to be enveloped in some unknown energy…there is a blinding flash of light and then all is dark as he loses consciousness.

When Arthur awakes, he is parched. The sun is beating down on him mercilessly. He cannot remember feeling so very dry in such along time. He feels the sand on his face and decides working out where he is and what happened to Degaton can wait. It is best if he gets himself off of the beach and into the water. That will revitalize him and clear his head as he figures out his next course of action. Degaton must have thought the explosion killed him…and then his body drifted to this beach. Well, thinks Aquaman that is
going to be a mistake he will regret! It takes more than that to kill the sovereign ruler of Atlantis!! Getting to his feet, Arthur looks around for the quickest way back to the water and his heart sinks. Staring out at his secluded, barren surroundings…all he can see for miles…in any direction is sand, sand and more sand!

“Not the desert…” he moans and reaches for his JLA communicator. This is bad, he really could use the help of his teammates…maybe Clark or Diana could get here soon…he really can’t survive long in these conditions.

No response.

He examines the device to see if it is damaged. It seems to be functioning fine…and broadcasting to the satellite…so why isn’t he getting a response?

With a soft thud, something lands near his feet in the sand. He searches the sky to see where it came from… but can see nothing. He examines the object. A small tube, not unlike what one would find in an old pneumatic message system. He opens the cylinder
and discovers a hand written scroll inside.

“Ah, by now you are putting on a brave face. You play the hero who will solve the problem and in turn save himself. Good luck with that. My dear Aquaman you really have no idea where or more importantly–when you are. I, Per Degaton--destined ruler of the Earth, have begun my plan for destroying this new League of yours. I have no qualms about shedding some light on your predicament however. You are right in the middle of the Sahara Desert, hundreds of miles from safety and shelter. You may call upon your compatriots, for assistance, to your heart’s content. Truly, I don’t mind. The thing of it is...there won’t be anyone for you to call for a thousand years. Enjoy the Dark Ages!”

“Damn you!” Aquaman shouts at the sky. With head down he starts to trudge across the sand. He feels his legs weaken with each and every step. The sun continues to burn his skin as precious moisture is lost though sweat. He stumbles several times while walking. Finally, bereft of strength, he falls and does not rise.

“Mera,” his voice cracks. Arthur’s tongue, split and painful, can barely form words. “My darling…” he mumbles as he drifts towards unconsciousness, “Take care of Arthur Jr…"

Darkness, mercifully, descends on Arthur Curry.

…A short while later.

“So what do you think?” Dinah asks while carefully examining the bodies. “These don’t look like Intergang…too scruffy. If I didn’t know better, they look like the homeless…like they just walked out of a soup kitchen.” Black Canary scans the scene. This just didn’t add up. What business would these folk have with trying to buy advanced fire-arms? “Do you suppose they tried to rip off Intergang and paid this price instead?” she wonders.

J’onn bends over one of the victims. He carefully removes his shoes. The soles were layered with newspapers in order to patch the holes. He drops the shoes.

“We must leave.” he informs Black Canary. “This was not a clandestine meeting, arranged to sell illegal fire-arms.”

“Then what the hell was it?” she asks.

At that moment, the thick canopy of leaves and branches above them bursts into flames. For dozens of yards in every direction, the sky seems like a ceiling of fire.

“I would presume, at this point, that its design was to lure us here.” J’onn replies, his tone revealing a growing anxiety.

The Manhunter from Mars is one of the most powerful beings on earth. On a good day he can rival Captain Marvel in strength-and perhaps even Superman–in terms of unique powers and abilities.
This was not turning out to be a good day.

Not many people were aware of this, but J’onn suffers from a debilitating fear of fire. His entire family; his entire race… died in flames. He has never truly recovered from this trauma.

As he stares at the infernal roof over their heads, he begins to lose himself in the past. His mind was reliving the trauma of his youth. Mother and father dead…all dead and burned…

A piercing, ear shattering scream knocked him off his feet. The Canary Cry… He had seen it used on felons in the past. Experiencing it first hand, now that was another matter.

“Sorry about that” Dinah shrugs “but we really need to get moving and you were zoned out!”

“Zoned out?”

“Ya,” she smiles. “As in unresponsive. Besides, you’re a big tough Martian. Don’t tell me that my cry hurt you?” Dinah chuckles.

“Well,” he says as he gets to his feet “at the very least it managed to get my attention.”

“It is called…knocking some sense into you!” Black Canary replies.

“My thanks, then. Perhaps now we should see about getting away from those flames.”

J’onn begins to head away from the scene of the murders… away from the flames.

Dinah follows him for several steps. As soon as they are clear of this fire, she figures, he should be able to fly them to safety. Then they can figure out a way to go after these bums.

“They are gonna regret this J’onn,” she states. Her ire is burning as hot as the flames.“Trying to kill members of the Justice League? They have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into!”

“OH, I THINK I KNOW!” A booming voice echoes from above. Per Degaton, barely visible, seems to be hovering within the flames. “I don’t even need to be a time traveler to tell your futures!” He gloats. “Because, heroes…” He almost spits the word. “YOU DON’T HAVE ANY!!!”

Suddenly, a wall of flames erupted at ground level. Running to the left and right, it spreads quickly, surrounding them in a ring of fire several meters wide. They had fled one trap…only to land in another far worse.

J’onn couldn’t’ stand it. The flames were reaching for him and there was nowhere to hide. The Martian fell to the ground, overcome with terror.

“Damn,” Black Canary exclaimed. This was getting bad. She needed an exit strategy…pronto. Maybe my canary cry, she wonders. At full strength, it sends out a powerful wave of sonic force. Perhaps, directed at one section of flames, it might be enough to ‘blow’ them out.

“Hell,” she says aloud “it’s worth a shot!” She inhales deeply and faces the flames.

Just then, the shooting begins.

Those advanced firearms were here after all…to be used on the helpless Justice Leaguers.

“Ollie…”

It was the last thing Dinah Lance, the heroic crime-fighter know as the Black Canary, would ever say.

Fawcett City, home of CC Batson

“GNN news…reporting from near the Washington monument…a battle wages. Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash are desperately trying to protect civilians from armed terrorists that keep appearing and disappearing throughout the grounds of the historic national treasures. The weapons they are using are like nothing this reporter has ever seen. Energy weapons that have already disintegrated the head off of Lincoln’s
statue!! Stay tined to GNN for full coverage of…

The Battle of Capitol Hill!!”

“You’ve made some serious mistakes throughout all of this nephew,” CC admonishes Bruce over the phone. “Sure, they may not have wanted ya on there team, but that was their mistake, letting these no-goods get away with attacking the good guys…and maybe have a shot at taking over…everything? That would be your mistake and you know it!!”

“Uncle…” Bruce tries to come up with an excuse. Ever since Talia limped out the door he’d been thinking. Was his arrogance going to lead to destruction? He didn’t even interrogate Talia about the whereabouts of her organization. He was kind of ashamed that he beat her…he was even more disgusted with himself for being deceived in the first place. His Uncle never seemed to make these mistakes when he was Captain Marvel.

“Uncle nothing nephew…we’ll sort out this mess together, but later on. Right now you need to fight the good fight. You remember what that was, don’t cha?”

“Yes, I do.” Bruce answers flatly.

“Good, now can the attitude and stop the bad guys.” CC continues. “Truly,” he sighs “that’s all there is to it. We’re not gods; we should be grateful for our abilities and humbly remember that deep down we are no better than anyone else…just different.”

Bruce suspects his Uncle is right. He’s been an ass and an incompetent one at that. This is the reason pride is a deadly sin, he realizes. Well one step at a time. Perhaps with the help of his Uncle and the old wizard he can learn a better way. But, right now he’d best catch up with Superman and the League.

“You’re right Uncle, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry I’ve been letting you down. It ends here. It ends now. I am gonna go help them, right now.” Bruce hangs up the phone.

CC can imagine his nephew voice calling down the lightning. The boy is gonna need help. CC decides on a course of action he had sworn he was done with. Despite this, despite his promise to the wizard; he has to try. A hero doesn’t sit still when the world needs them.

“If you can hear me, I am truly sorry if I have failed you. I know I promised to not call upon your gifts, now that I have relinquished them.” CC takes a breath. “The world is in danger, I beg of you; if it is in your power, please grant me the ability to help, just long enough to avert this crisis. Please answer my call.”

“Shazam!”

The thunder is heard for miles.

“GNN News Update… Reporting live from ‘The battle for Capitol Hill’. This reporter has seen war zones across the globe; never did I suspect that I would be reporting from one in our nation’s capitol! The battle seemed hopeless as the depleted ranks of the Justice League struggled to save lives while unnamed terrorists using futuristic weaponry seemed able to attack civilians at will. Many of the attacks were coordinated to ambush Leaguers rushing to the rescue. This situation, indeed, looked hopeless.

When, suddenly, there appeared not one but two Captain Marvels. The elder statesman, retired for sometime now, and his younger and controversial protégé.

Just imagine, those of you at home, The Duke leading Rambo into battle!! Only this isn’t some fan-boys piece of ‘what if’ speculation. This is the genuine article and this reporter was present to witness these legends step forward to save us all.

With the arrival of these two powerhouses, one by one, the terrorists became overwhelmed, disarmed and subdued. Truly we are all blessed to live in such a ‘Golden Age’ when such beings walk amongst mortal men! Now back to our studios and…”

“So what do we do,” Bruce asks aloud “with our new prisoners?”

“They are not our prisoners, to do anything with.” Superman calmly replies. The small group of super-humans looks from one to the other, gauging Bruce’s reaction. “The authorities will decide there fate, under the law.”

“The law hasn’t been written yet to deal with these types of supra-normal atrocities. They aren’t equipped to handle such criminals… but we are!” Bruce’s ire is clear.

“What would you have us do?” Clark reacts to Bruce stubborn refusal to accept authority “become judge, jury and executioner?”

“Don’t be melodramatic, alien, the fact is… normal authorities are ill equipped to even consider incarcerating criminals that can teleport and travel through time… they would make a mockery of prison security!” Bruce stares hard at Superman, daring him to disagree.

“Nephew, there is a line that we cannot cross” CC intervenes. “Once we do, we are no better than those villains we strive to protect the world from.”

Princess Diana, Wonder Woman, steps forward. “Besides, Captain Marvel, we have destroyed their weapons and equipment. Surely this will allow the authorities to handle them, adequately.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Bruce looks over the fallen terrorists “for now.”

“Of course they are nephew,” CC claps Bruce on the back “and now I can feel they old wizard wanting this borrowed power back.” He steps to the side and raises his voice. “Thank you for allowing me to help them; I am eternally grateful to you… Shazam!”

The elderly CC Batson stands before the next generation of guardians and looks on them with pride. These brave and noble souls should be able to help guide Bruce into the new millennium.

“If and when the situation changes,” Superman stands next to Bruce “we can face that threat together.” He holds his hand out to Bruce in an offer of truce and perhaps the first step on the road to… well if not friendship at least mutual respect.

Bruce stares at the hand a moment and then begins to grin as he extends his own hand. The time is ripe for new beginnings. Perhaps there still is time to make his Uncle proud; to honor his parent’s memory.

“Ah, how sweet,” a voice sneers from behind them “but you’ve won nothing!” they are turning and looking for the sound of the voice. Per Degaton is floating in the air, vanishing and reappearing every split second.

CC recognizes the fiend. “It’s another old relic like me,” he laughs “this old time travelling Nazi has been whooped by the Society numerous times. If I had known he was behind it all,” CC chuckles “I think you youngsters can handle this fella.” CC is almost in tears from laughing “he calls himself Per Degaton, if that matters to ya.”

Per Degaton vanishes again. “This one has a tendency to flee when his plans go awry?” Wonder Woman asks.

“Ya, that’s his M.O.” CC replies “But I’ll say this, he was never this resourceful back in the old days. He must be learning a few new tricks. With his technology, you kids will have to keep a watchful eye on that one. I would surely love to help ya, but ya know I am
retired.”

“Yes, retired, permanently!” Degaton reappears behind CC with his gun leveled at the old man’s head, pulling the trigger as he speaks.

The energy weapon discharges from almost point blank range against the back of CC Batson’s head. Mercifully, he felt no pain as his head disintegrates. The maniacal glee in Per Degaton’s face has almost everyone frozen in horror.

Almost everyone…

Without a word, without a sound, Captain Marvel uses the Speed of Mercury to get Per Degaton in his grasp. In blind fury, he hurls the villain against the Washington Monument with the Strength of Hercules. Cracks appear radiating outward from the impact, scarring the marble exterior that has stood for over a century. The distinct sound of plastics and electronics smashing can be heard. There will be no escape for Per Degaton this time.

“We’ve got him Captain,” Superman begins and steps forward a hand on Bruce’s shoulder “You can leave him to us and…”

“No!” Captain Marvel yells loud enough to be heard for miles. Grief wells up in him. He could not save his parents… but now, even with the power of gods, he could not save his beloved Uncle CC. What is the purpose of such power if we cannot save the ones we love?

For Bruce there is an answer… it is vengeance. He grabs Superman by the arm and then surprises him by twisting and throwing him into the other heroes. Like bowling pins they are knocked asunder. In a flash, he is back on Per and forcing him to his feet, against
the monument.

“You evil…you…there is only one way to deal with your kind!” Bruce shouts at Degaton, still woozy from the impact. “You are a monster and,” Bruce stares into Degaton’s eyes with cold determination “Monsters need to be slain!”

With that the Power of Zeus flows through Bruce’s arms as he pummels Per Degaton against the obelisk. Chunks of marble now fly off as shrapnel from the massive blows.

The underlying granite exposed and crumbles under the furious onslaught. It only takes seconds. Stripped of his technology, Per is but a mortal man. Against the power of the gods what other result is possible?

By the time that Superman has recovered enough to grab him, the deed is done.

Nothing recognizable as the time travelling despot known as Per Degaton remains. All that is left is scraps of his Nazi style uniform, horrific smear across the face of the monument and a pool of blood at its base.

“Damn you!” Superman is shaking him “your temper has gone too far. We cannot do this. You will not be allowed to do this ever again Bruce!”

“How will you stop me alien?” Bruce begins to get angry again “don’t even think of taking me on. You’ll regret it.”

The other are regaining their feet and looking at the two titans about to brawl. Such a conflict could destroy the Capitol. They move to join Superman in stopping Captain Marvel. A war amongst super-humans is about to begin.

“This one is no longer deemed worthy of our blessings.” Voices echo throughout, seemingly without origin. “We strip him of the mantle and will seek another. His fate is yours to determine. May you do this with wisdom.”

“S H A Z A M ! !”

With a bolt of lightning Captain Marvel is transformed back into Bruce Wayne. The television crews on hand witness the events as he is led off in handcuffs by the authorities.

Bruce walks on the grounds of his manor. He thinks of the twists and turns of his life.

The courts have acquitted him but apparently the gods have not. He has spoken the word numerous times… to no effect.

“Shazam” he says without hope… again nothing happens. Bruce is fine with that. He has come to realize that too much power can be too much of a temptation anyhow. Going over the case, meticulously, he is certain that with better strategies…with better training…the Justice League could be much better prepared for such crises in the future. Of course, for now, they aren’t taking his calls. He needs to reinvent himself. He needs to find the best trainers in the world and learn from them how to fight, how to sleuth, how to strategize. He is ready to embark on an odyssey of self discovery. He is ready to find a new identity with which to fight the criminals.

A bat flies through the night above his head. What was it, he wonders, that Uncle CC said?

“Bats can be very scary… in fact I’d say they possess the ability to strike fear into the hearts of men.”



“That’s it” Bruce says aloud “fear is the key. Criminals, even the super-powered kind are a cowardly and superstitious lot. I will use this image to strike fear in their hearts and I will become a Bat-”

“Uggh!” Bruce looks down at his chest. A long knife is protruding from it. He slips to his knees. Ra’s Al Ghul steps around the dying man. He looks on with contempt at this fool. All the potential he squandered and the mistakes he must pay for.

“My daughter Talia was carrying your child when you beat her.” He sees the eyes of Bruce widen with shock and dismay. “You could have been family. With your power and my organization we could have changed the world!” He shakes his head and steps back
behind Bruce. “With no power and now, not even an heir… you are worthless to me.”

“I…I didn’t know she was pregnant.” Bruce lamely offers. It isn’t nearly enough to excuse his actions and he knows it.

“Yes,” Ra’s says gripping the knife “Well, you are no detective.” With a deft twist he removes the knife from Bruce Wayne’s back and allows the man’s body to fall, face first, in the mud. Ra’s Al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins walks away.